04/17/2015, 8:00am EDT By NOJHL Communications
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, April 17, 2015
NOJHL approves Sudbury Nickel Barons relocation to Rayside-Balfour
SUDBURY – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Board of Directors announced it has unanimously approved the relocation and name change of the Sudbury Nickel Barons to Rayside-Balfour in time for the 2015-16 season with the club being dubbed the Canadians.
Rayside-Balfour is no stranger to competing in the NOJHL as the Canadians were members of the league from 1978-79 through 1994-95.
Following that last campaign, the team changed their name to the Sabrecats and were a true powerhouse in the NOJHL for the next decade, which included seven consecutive league titles, three Dudley-Hewitt Cup triumphs and a silver medal finish at the 2000 RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A Championship in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Pending final approval by the City of Sudbury, the Canadians expect to play out of Chelmsford Arena.
The move for the organization brings an array of thoughts for team president Mike Mooney.
“First I would like to thank Nickel City Minor Hockey for their help in accommodating our club’s move, and also the arena management staff for the City of Sudbury,” stated Mooney.
“The club would also like to thank the fans and sponsors that supported us over the past three seasons in Copper Cliff,” he added.
“The team’s ownership and staff are very excited to be bringing Jr. A hockey back to the newly renovated Chelmsford Arena. It is definitely a homecoming of sorts for myself. In the final season as the Canadians in 1994-95 my father was the owner, I was head coach and my brother played on the team.”
“So far the feedback about the return of the Canadians, and the NOJHL, to the Rayside-Balfour community has been tremendous,” concluded Mooney.
The NOJHL also looks forward to the return of the league to Rayside-Balfour.
“The NOJHL and Rayside-Balfour has a storied past and history and as a league we could not be more excited to see its return,” offered NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“We wish the Canadians organization all the best in their transition within the Greater Sudbury area and commend the teams’ fans and corporate partners in Copper Cliff for their dedicated support,” added Mazzuca.
Further news on the Rayside-Balfour Canadians, including season ticket, merchandise and website announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
